Movie Network Channels announces StarPics app for iPad
Movie Network Channels to launch a free StarPics app which serves as multi-screen companion.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under Subscription
Movie Network Channels has announced a free StarPics app for iPad which serves as multi-screen companion.
It offers a range of movie news, review and preview programs  including “Movie Juice”, a weekly half-hour program with the latest reports from Hollywood, “Premiere” featuring red carpet coverage of the latest flicks and “Star Bios” with an in-depth look at stars.
Star Focus is another feature of the app where users can scroll through the stars featured on-air on StarPics in the upcoming month, view actor biographies, movie trailers and Rotten Tomatoes reviews. Other features include a What’s On broadcast guide to all Movie Network Channels, and Star Tracker, an interactive game that tests your Movie knowledge.
The release of the StarPics app is the second major app launch for Movie Network Channels, having released a comprehensive companion app in January this year for its FMC channel’s flagship production – “Conspiracy 365”. This new product launch is the first stage of a multi-screen strategy for the network, who are responding to the way audiences now interact with their mobile devices and consume content.
“Mobile devices are an increasingly important part of the TV experience, and to better service and bond with our customers, the StarPics app offers content that enhances the viewing experience of our linear broadcast ” says Peter Jenetsky, General Manager Marketing and Content Strategy.
“We have listened to what audiences want and how they want it delivered, and are very excited to be unveiling this new offering that will service their viewing needs. The app is part of our content marketing and brand discovery strategy, offering a ‘freemium’ service we believe will play a role in attracting potential new subscribers and movie fans to seek out our services via our subscription TV platforms” he adds.
The StarPics app will be available on iTunes from November 15.
17 Responses
What a waste of time and money.
IMBD has all the movie needed. Why are movie network trying to reinvent the wheel (and the Androids can use it too).
They would be better off spending money on getting an HD version of Movie Extra up and running.
@Josh77 now you really are sounding like a Foxtel plant!
@ Phil – no I’m not saying that we are missing out on niche movies, I’m saying that by Foxtel owning the movie channels they can choose which movies they want instead of being like The Movie Network and Showtime who rely primarily on companies they have output deals with. For instance, I don’t believe either company have output deals with independent companies such as Relativity Media (and it’s subsidary Rogue Pictures) (note I may be wrong but to the best of my knowledge neither network does) so what movies of theres we do see it is only a certain few. In contrast, if Foxtel owned the channels they could approach each network to gain deals with them that best suits what they need – e.g. if they rebrand FMC they could expand it by creating an output deal with Relativity to get movies such as RV, Wild Child, The Spy Next Door, etc. And in regards to price, by Foxtel buying both companies and forming one, they would likely drop the price from $16 each ($32 total) down to $20-25 as they would be reducing their expenses and the amount of total channels (even though they would be increasing variety). This is all just a prediction based on Foxtel’s talks with Showtime and what Sky done in the U.K.
@josh777 what you seem to be suggesting is that there are movies we don’t get now because we don’t have a horror channel or other niche channels? Maybe I’m more easily pleased, or I need to take a closer look at the titles that play on the channels we have, but I seem to be able to find a movie to watch when I go looking for one. Thanks but I think I’d like to see independence and diversity of ownership rather than control by one company. And who knows. Maybe one day there will be another option to paying $130+ a month to Foxtel. Can’t see that happening though if they keep buying up all the channels
@ Phil – when I first heard the news I was very annoyed as I hate how Foxtel own so many channels and not giving other networks a fair go (e.g. Country Music Channel should be owned by MTV; A&E should own A&E, Bio, History and CI; FOX International should own FOX8 and FOX Classics; etc.). However, since then I have taken a look at Sky U.K. and realised that since Sky brought the movie channels they have allowed for each genre to be given a fair share and not have an overlap which results in other genres being excluded (e.g. with 2 action channels at the moment in Australia there isn’t a Thriller/Horror channel). Also, Sky U.K. hand pick 3D movies to be aired on their 3D channel, which means that Foxtel 3D could finally expand from just showing repeats of ESPN 3D coverage. Not to mention with News Corp. now 100% owning FOX Sports Australia there is a likely to be an increase in local 3D sports content. So yes I don’t like Foxtel saturating the market, but the potential good definitely outweights to bad.
@Josh777 now you are sounding like a Foxtel publicist lol. Personally I’m not quite as convinced as you seem to be that Foxtel acts in our best interests all the time … #Murdochaphobia … particularly if they have control and exclusive content.
@ Phil – I wouldn’t go getting the bomb shelter ready just yet. I personally cannot see this deal falling through so hopefully in the next couple of months we’ll see Foxtel own all movie channels (excluding TCM and World Movies), which I expect will mean a reduction in the amount of channels to reduce an overlay of content (as can be seen with Showtime Action and Movie Extra, Showtime Drama and Movie Greats, Showtime Premiere and Movie One, etc.) and likely a HD feed for all channels. This is only a prediction as I’m only going off what Sky done in the U.K. as News Corp. have shares in both Sky and Foxtel and will likely just do what they have found successful already.
@Josh777 sounds like a lose / lose situation then for everyone. If Foxtel can only give customers half the big movies then if I am typical of others, there will be a lot of people looking around for new options, cheaper pricing etc. Time to take another look at Quickflix me thinks!
@ David – thanks for the update =)
@ Phil – if Foxtel do not acquire The Movie Network then viewers will likely only receive half the new release movies due to The Movie Network being owned by TimeWarner, Disney, MGM and Village – all involved in some of the biggest movies around. In saying that, Foxtel have just reached an agreement with HBO (TimeWarner) to have exclusive access to their content, not to mention if The Movie Network decide to remain as is and only be available via IPTV then they are looking at a huge plumit in profit. Foxtel have made it so that if The Movie Network do not sell they are in big trouble.
@Josh777 what movies will foxtel loose if they don’t buy Movie Network? Are we going back to the days of Optus TV versus Foxtel? Not sure that’s a good thing for the poor suffering subscribers
@ Phil – Austar launched a new planner and TV guide for MyStar and MyStar HD STBs during the last weeks before Foxtel took over so there is no telling whether or not the deal has been cancelled as these advancements usually take months to organise and prepare. It saying that, if Foxtel don’t buy The Movie Network there is a chance they will no longer be offered by Foxtel and only via IPTV providers.
I believe still in talks.
@Josh777 it doesn’t seem that Movie Network has been sold if they are launching apps like this now. it reads more like they are planning to offer more content this way. that would suit me … and if a few more channels did something similar, I could get rid of Foxtel and just buy the channels I want
David Knox – is there any more news on whether Foxtel have made any progress in buying The Movie Network? You said the other month when it was announced Foxtel brought Showtime that The Movie Network’s contract with Foxtel ends in December and I thought there would have been news by now.
Will it have a big ‘STARPICS’ logo in the middle of the screen like the movie channels do?
Even though i have an ipad 3 and subscribe to Foxtel this is useless to me (same goes for latest Go app) because my mobile device is an Android – the worlds and Australias most popular mobile OS.
Obviously people at Foxtel drinking too much Apple Kool-Aid and don’t know what their customers needs are.
That’s it going over to Apple………….. not in your life!!